Tag Archives: Vitamix

August 27, 2012 · 8:48 am

Speedy Black Bean Chili

There is a growing trend of going meatless on Mondays. I’m no vegetarian or vegan, but I certainly see the advantages to “Meatless Mondays.” Choosing one day a week to enjoy meals without meat, seafood, or poultry gives me the opportunity to stretch my creative cooking muscles. I look for ways to boost fiber and nutrition while saving a buck (meatless meals almost always cost less). Black Bean Chili is my contribution to this week’s “Meatless Monday.” If you make this chili, don’t skip the fresh herbs. Chopped fresh cilantro (or if you prefer, parsley) brightens the flavors. You won’t miss the meat!

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RECIPE

BLACK BEAN CHILI

 

There’s no need to presoak beans if you’re using a pressure cooker. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, substitute a large (15.5 oz.) can of black beans for the dried in the recipe. Cook over low heat in a covered saucepan for an hour.

 

Ingredients:

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 onion
  • 2 – 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups (1 pound) dried black beans
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies
  • 1 quart + 1 cup liquid (broth, water, beer—your choice)
  • 1 cup fresh chopped cilantro or parsley
  • Salt and pepper (optional—taste before adding)
  • Juice of one lemon (optional)

 

Directions:

  1. Spray the inside of a 6-quart pressure cooker with the nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Chop the onion and garlic (I use the Vitamix).
  3. Over medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic. Add the chili powder.
  4. Rinse beans and remove any hulls. Add beans to the pressure cooker pot.
  5. Add tomatoes and green chilies, stir to combine, then pour in all the liquid.
  6. Secure lid to the pressure cooker and bring to pressure.
  7. Cook under pressure for 35 minutes.
  8. Remove pot from heat and allow pressure to drop on its own for 5 minutes.
  9. Carefully release pressure and open pot according to your manufacturer’s instruction.
  10. (Optional step) Scoop out a cup of the beans and puree then stir in to thicken chili.
  11. Stir in chopped cilantro (or parsley), the juice of a lemon (optional but good!), and then serve topped with a tablespoon of your favorite topping, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, or salsa.

Yield: 6 1-cup servings

If you prefer chili that’s more soup-like in consistency, increase the liquid to 1½ quarts. Vary the recipe with different kinds of beans and flavorings. Caution: Do not decrease the liquids as they are necessary to pressure cooking safety.

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Filed under beans, Chili and Stew, Cilantro, cooking, Healthful Eating, Mexican, Recipes

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July 26, 2012 · 8:11 am

A Very Berry Shake

Very Berry Shake

It’s hot. We’re in the midst of summer, a time when we love a frozen treat. You can burn fuel driving to the local ice cream shoppe, spend several dollars for a milk shake, and return home feeling guilty for overindulging on sugar and fat. Or you can save time, money and calories by making your own milk shake. Here’s a recipe I make in my Vitamix.

RECIPE

Berry Shake

Ingredients:

  •  1 cup 1% or skim milk
  • ½ cup frozen cherries
  • ¼ cup frozen berries medley (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries)
  • ¼ cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 prune for added natural sweetness (optional)

Directions:

  • Add all ingredients to the Vitamix. Secure lid but leave the plug out to insert the tamper.
  • Run the Vitamix on Variable Speed 1, gradually stepping up to 10 then High. Use the tamper to push the frozen fruit into the blades.
  • Run until the mixture is smooth but do not overprocess. When the consistency resembles a milk shake (about 1 minute), stop the Vitamix, remove container, and pour into a glass. Enjoy!

Yield: 1 large or 2 small shakes

Variation: Pour extra mixture into molds to make frozen pops.

If you make this for the kids, you don’t have to tell them it’s good for them. Using whole fruit and milk, you have a delicious treat that contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. The milk adds calcium. Treat yourself and your family guilt-free!

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Filed under desserts, fruit, Healthful Eating, Recipes, Smoothies, snacks

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July 10, 2012 · 7:29 am

Hasty Tasty Meatloaf

Hasty Tasty Meatloaf

Everyone has a meatloaf recipe it seems. It’s a beloved comfort food that also stretches a buck. I vary my meatloaf, depending on my mood and what’s in my refrigerator. This is my favorite, ideal recipe. I use fresh produce, but chopping in the Vitamix makes quick work of the preparaton. I bake it in my Pampered Chef® stoneware loaf pan. If you use a metal pan, lower the oven temperature to 350°.


RECIPE

Hasty Tasty Meatloaf

Ingredients:

  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • ¼ red bell pepper
  • ¼ green bell pepper
  • ¼ yellow bell pepper
  • 1 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
  • 1 can tomato sauce, divided
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°
  2. In a large bowl, combine the two ground meats with the egg.
  3. Remove the plug on the Vitamix lid, set Vitamix speed to Variable Speed 4, and turn on. Gradually add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper quarters until all are chopped. Add chopped vegetables to the ground meat.
  4. Add all other ingredients except reserve half the tomato sauce. Mix just until blended.
  5. Transfer mixture to a loaf pan and shape into a loaf. Cover with remaining tomato sauce.
  6. Place loaf pan in the center of the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Remove meatloaf from oven and allow it to cool 15 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

Start to finish is about an hour. While the meatloaf bakes, you have plenty of time to steam potatoes and vegetables, set the table, and brew the iced tea. Enjoy your comfort food!

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Filed under cooking, Healthful Eating, oatmeal, Recipes, Turkey Recipes

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June 25, 2012 · 7:14 am

Shrimp Salad with Homemade Mayonnaise

I’ve been studying food labels carefully and don’t like many of the additives, so I’ve embarked on a journey to eat more natural foods. I make my own juices, granola, bread, and BBQ sauce. Now I’ve conquered mayonnaise.

With the Vitamix, it’s easy and takes mere minutes. Here’s how:

Mayonnaise

 

Ingredients:

¾ cup egg substitute
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 cups safflower or canola oil
 

Directions:

Add first four ingredients to the Vitamix container. Secure lid but remove plug.
Turn Vitamix to Variable Speed 1, gradually increasing to 10 then high.
Pour the oil in a steady stream through the opening in the lid.
Run Vitamix just until mixture thickens.
Turn off Vitamix, pour the mayonnaise into a quart jar, and put a tight-fitting lid (or canning ring and lid) on the jar. Refrigerate. Keeps up to 10 days.

 
Yield: 1 quart

I use 1/2 cup of my mayonnaise to make shrimp salad.

Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Salad for Two

RECIPE

Shrimp Salad for Two

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup salad-size shrimp
  • 1 hard boiled egg, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. minced onion
  • 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish
  • ¼ cup chopped celery
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp. dried tarragon leaves
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss together.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to develop flavors.
  3. Serve on whole-wheat rolls for sandwiches or stuff in a large, ripe tomato. 

Yield: 2 servings

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Filed under condiments, Healthful Eating, Recipes, Salads, Shrimp

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